Eye and ear shield



Jan. 9, 1951 J. LAPORTE EYE AND EAR SHIELD Filed July 5, 1949 Patented Jan. 9, 1951 EYE AND EAR SHIELD Joe Laporte, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Application July 5, 1949, Serial No. 102,973 In Canada May 3, 1949 3 Claims. (Cl. 2-15) The present invention pertains to a novel eye and ear shield designed especially for use in traveling but also useful for other purposes, as will appear hereinafter.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a device of this character that enables an individual to shut out lights and noises while traveling and otherwise to create a restful environment. ihe device is also useful by persons who find it necessary to sleep during the day and who require darkness and quiet in order to fall asleep. This is true of many persons who work at night and must take their sleep during daylight.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device for the stated purpose. Still another object is to provide such a device with separable ear pads that may be removed for cleaning or replacement and may be adjusted in position according to the needs of the wearer.

In the accomplishment of these objects, the device comprises a band that passes over the eyes and is buckled at the back of the head. The parts that cover the ears are double slotted to support the ear pads. Each ear pad carries a pair of parallel strips that have their ends passed through the slots. .Since the slots run lengthwise of the band, the pads are adjustable lengthwise to the desired position. Also they are 7 easily removable for the purpose set forth.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the device in use;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the device;

Figure 3 is an elevation of one of the ear pads;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3; and

Figures 5 and 6 are sections on the lines 5-5 and t8 of Figure 2.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In Figures 1 and 2 is shown a band I made of a flexible material such as silk, satin, rayon, wool, cloth or the like and of such length as to encircle the head. The mid-portion 2 is widest, and the ends taper at 3. lhe lower edge of the portion 2 is formed with a notch 4 to straddle the nose, as shown in Figure 1. A soft beading 5 is applied to the upper and lower edges of the portion 2, at the inner surface, by suitable means such as stitching 6, as shown more clearly in Figure 6.

The beading prevents scraping of the skin when the device is applied, and for this purpose consists of a suitable soft material such as those previously mentioned.

The portions that cover the ears are formed with a pair of parallel and longitudinal slots 7 to receive ear pads. Each such pad includes a attached two spaced and parallel strips H2. The latter consist of a material that maintains a rigid position and is preferably flexible under pressure, such as sheet metal or Celluloid. Thus, the strips may have their ends inserted in the respective slots E, from the inside outward, to be traversed by the band fabric 13 that separates the slots and to bring the ends to the outer surface of the band I.

The length of the slots is about one inch and considerably greater than the width of the strips 12. Thus, a lengthwise positioning of the ear pads along the band is possible, according to the needs of the wearer. The selected position is maintained frictionally by the strip i3. One of the ends 3 carries a buckle M to receive the other end adjustably, whereby the band is fitted to the head and fastened in the fitted position.

Many persons travelling on trains, busses and the like are greatly disturbed at night by the passing lights and day or night by the noises. In such cases, especially when one desires to rest, the device of the invention is readily applied as described to shut out the light and also the noise,

if desired. It is understood that the band I is sufficiently opaque or light-proof.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An eye and ear shield comprising a band adapted to cover the eyes and ears of the wearer,

each ear-covering portion having a pair of longitudinal slots, a pair of ear pads in button form, a pair of spaced and parallel strips carried by each pad, the ends of each pair of strips being insertable and slidable in a pair of said slots.

,2. An eye and ear shield comprising a band adapted tocover the eyes and ears of the wearer, each ear-covering portion having a pair of longitudinal slots, a pair of ear pads in button form, a stud in the back of each pad, a pair of spaced and parallel strips carried by each stud, the ends of each pair of strips being insertable and slidable in a pair of said slots.

3. An eye and ear shield comprising a band adapted to cover the eyes and ears of the wearer, each ear-covering ortion having a pair of 1ongitudinal slots, a pair of ear pads in button form, a stud in the back of each pad, a pair of spaced and parallel strips carried by each stud, the ends of each pair of strips being insertable and slidable in a pair of said slots, said strips consisting of a material that normally maintains a rigid condition and is flexible under pressure.

JOE LAPORTE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number 

